Prince William was photographed enjoying a series of sweet moments with his eldest child Prince George today, as the pair watched Aston Villa’s fixture against Nottingham Forest.
The father and son, both keen Aston Villa fans, had plenty to celebrate as their team came out victorious, scoring two goals in the second half, much to their delight.
While Villa eventually secured the win 2-0, throughout the tense match, George’s expressions were animated as he enjoyed the high and low points of the game.
The Prince proved he was a chip off the old block as he was seen performing the same gestures as his father during the game at Villa Park.
At one point the Prince of Wales, 40, was snapped looking like he was shouting, with his hands over his ears. Sure enough, his son was doing the same gesture.
The happy father and son (pictured after Aston Villa scored their first goal) must have been delighted when the game ended with a 2-0 victory for their side
Mini me: the princes (pictured), who are both supporters of Aston Villa, were seen pulling the same expressions during some points of the match
Like father, like son: At another point during what appeared to be a tense game, the royals were snapped screaming with their hands up to their ears
Father and son: Prince William attended (pictured, right) Aston Villa’s fixture against Nottingham Forest today with his son Prince George (pictured, left)
During another tense moment, the heir apparent steepled his hands in front of his mouth while starring ahead intently.
Once again, George was doing a similar gesture, looking ahead in concentration with his hands next to his mouth.
In another twist, which made George look even more like his father’s mini me, the pair were wearing similar outfits for the appearance, both donning pale blue shirts topped with navy jumpers.
At half-time, the score was nil-nil, suggesting an uneventful start. However, the animated expressions shared by the two princes proved the game until that point had been anything but boring.
When Villa scored three minutes into the second half, George was ecstatic, leaping from his seat to high-five those around him, including Villa’s chief executive Christian Purslow.
The pair were also joined by William’s old friend Edward van Cutsem, 49, who was a page boy at Charles and Diana’s wedding and whose family once rented Anmer Hall, the Cambridges’ former home on the Sandringham estate.
England manager Gareth Southgate was also nearby, and saw Villa win 2-0.
Prince William has taken a keen interest in all aspects of the game, including his support for the men’s and women’s national teams
The Prince of Wales with Prince George of Wales and Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow (right) in the stands during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham
High fives all round: Prince George got involved in the action watching the football today
George grinned as things looked up for his team. The Prince’s father is a keen Aston Villa fan
Prince George was one of the grown ups as he listened intently to Aston Villa’s chairman and his father chatting at the game
Talking tactics: Prince William appeared to be explaining something to his inquisitive son during the game
The tension of the match was visible on both George and William’s faces
Father-of-three Prince William, who is President of the Football Association, has supported Villa since he was 11, regularly attends games and other events.
He took over the role from his uncle, the Duke of York, in 2006.
He was the football club’s guest of honour when the ribbon was cut at the new £6million facility in two years ago.
Among the numerous games he has attended was the club’s victorious 2019 play-off final over Derby County at Wembley.
Prince William has taken a keen interest in all aspects of the game, including his support for the men’s and women’s national teams.
Explaining why he is an Aston Villa fan during a 2015 interview with the BBC, Prince William said: ‘A long time ago at school I got into football big time.
‘I was looking around for clubs. All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn’t want to follow the run of the mill teams.
Taking it all in: The young prince has previously been pictured at a number of sport events
Dramatic: At another point during the fixture, William and George were seen looking dismayed as they watched the action
Prince George points at the pitch as his father leans in to hear what his little boy has to say
Stressful: the royals showed how tense it can be being a football fan, looking worried as they watched the action, then frustrated at times
The Prince was on the edge of his seat during the Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest match
The father and son shared a tender moment as William listened attentively to George
Fortunately, at other times, the action seemed less fraught, so Prince George and Prince William were able to take a breather
Celebrations: The Aston Villa fans celebrated a goal from their team
Prince George was animated as he watched the drama unfold on the pitch
Prince of Wales, Prince George and Christian Purslow chief executive officer of Aston Villa celebrate in the stands after Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore scores
Prince George watched intently from the stands along with other Aston Villa fans
The Prince was in a box area at Villa Park along with other VIP guests
Prince William was seen grinning, likely at his team’s success, on the day out with his son
Jumping out of their seats: The father and son duo couldn’t take their eyes off the pitch
Prince William shared a laugh with Christian Purslow, chief executive officer of Aston Villa
Prince George looks out over the football ground with his hands clasped as his father appears to be stifling a laugh
‘I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional roller-coaster moments.
‘Aston Villa’s always had a great history. I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000.
‘Sadly, Villa went on to lose to Chelsea. It was fantastic, I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on, and I was sat with all the Brummie fans and had a great time.
‘It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with.’
Prince George had laser focus on the match as the game unfolded at Villa Park today
Prince George claps after the first goal Father-of-three Prince William has long been a fan of Aston Villa, and regularly attends games and other events
Spirits appeared much higher after Aston Villa scored again Nottingham, with the royals snapped grinning widely
The royals appeared to have leapt to their feet at one point, cheering and smiling during the nail biting match
The royals looked somewhat calmer before kick-off, as they were snapped in the stands at Villa Park (pictured with Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow)
Taking their seats: Delighted fans sat near Princes George and William greeted them excitedly
Prince William seemed much more relaxed before the game started, smiling, clapping, and chatting
Nassef Sawiris, Chairman of Aston Villa, William, Prince of Wales, and Prince George of Wales look on prior to the Premier League match
George’s love of football has been no secret, with the royal celebrating birthdays with a sports-themed parties at Kensington Palace
Celebrations: The royals jumped for joy during the match which Villa won against Nottingham Forest
The crowd at Villa Park celebrated today for their home team’s success
Prince William appears to say goodbye to fellow fans after Aston Villa won the match
The Wales family are now all Villa fans and it is not the first time George has joined William at a game.
In October 2019, when he was six, George was pictured enthusiastically celebrating a 5-1 Villa win with William, his mother Kate and sister Charlotte.
George’s love of football has been no secret, with the royal celebrating birthdays with a sports-themed parties at Kensington Palace and William saying he hopes his oldest son will one day be Villa’s ‘top goal scorer’.
The prince’s love for the beautiful game was evident when he attended the June 2021 final of the Euros at Wembley, where England faced Italy.
After joining his parents for the national anthem, George threw his arms out and shouted in pure joy as Luke Shaw powered England to an early lead over Italy in the opening minutes.
William and Kate, then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured) were joined by their eldest son Prince George when attending England’s Six Nations match against Wales last year
The match at Twickenham Stadium was the first Kate attended after becoming patron of Rugby Football Union (RFU)
The young Prince celebrated tries with his parents as they watched the match from Twickenham’s stands
But the young royal later had to be consoled when his team lost to the Azzurri on penalties, after being outplayed by Roberto Mancini’s men throughout the second half.
He also showed his passion for sport while attending a Six Nations match with his parents last year.
George showed his cheeky side sticking out his tongue as he watched the England v Wales game.
The match at Twickenham Stadium was the first Kate has attended since becoming patron of Rugby Football Union (RFU).
Prince William, who has been patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) since 2016, and Kate are known for their rivalry during sporting engagements.
The Princess of Wales grew up watching rugby with her family, and has since gamely taken on her husband in everything from dragon boating to wind buggy racing.
Their eldest son has adopted their fierce sporting spirit – as his latest pitchside appearance with his father goes to show.